Shopping « Lookiloos

Shopping

One Kings Lane – Secret Club for Designer Decor Discounts

Sunday, November 1st, 2009

ming console table

Do you love designer home decor, but we don’t love having to pay top dollar? We found the One Kings Lane site and are enamored by the beauties that can be found at a fraction of the cost. For example, this gorgeous console table is designed by Maria Yee. Every item in her collection is handcrafted with sophisticated joinery techniques, handed down through the ages and refined for a modern manufacturing environment, with no nails or screws marring the integrity of the raw materials. She is a pioneer in socially responsible luxury furniture. The console retails for $2260 and you can get for more than 50% off!

This invite only site gives you access to deals that you can not get anywhere else. Discounts vary weekly from furniture to table cloths to pottery. Wondering how you get an invite? Sign up here and your gals at Lookiloos will hook you up!

Posted in Featured, Looki What I Found, Sheila, Shopping | 2 Comments »

Luxury Backyard Tents Redefine Outdoor Relaxation

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

Luxury Backyard Tents Redefine Outdoor Relaxation

Growing up on the East Coast, I distinctly remember my aunt having a clumsy screened tent that she put around the patio table. It was far from luxury and did not add any ambiance, but we could eat outdoors and be mosquito free. Gypsy Faire Tents are luxurious garden & event tents that give the term “backyard tent” a whole new meaning.

These custom designed handmade cotton fabric tents or umbrellas are gorgeous. Like something out of Arabian Nights, these tents simply transport you and our guests to a magical & exotic destination right in your own backyard. Tents range in size from 10×10 to as big as the imagination lends -setting the stage for your own outdoor retreat or the shelter to house a whimsical wedding fit for a queen.

The Gypsy Faire Tents certainly are not my aunt’s tent!

Retail Pricing – $3995 and up

Website: www.gypsyfairetents.com

Photos courtesy of World Market Center Las Vegas.

Tags: Backyard Renovation, Gypsy Faire Tents, Home Decor
Posted in Backyard, Featured, Home and Garden, Looki What I Found, Sheila, Shopping, Yard | No Comments »

CSN Stores Table Lamps Giveaway!

Friday, July 24th, 2009

I love getting good email. The kind that puts a smile on your face and makes your day. Well, I got one of those and I get to share it with all of you Lookiloos. CSN Stores is offering us, not one but two of these modern Cyndel Table Lamps in brushed nickel for a giveaway. It's a fabulous giveaway if I say so myself.

I hadn't heard about CSN before but I certainly won't forget them! As I was virtually wandering around the different shops, I came across a futons section. Now this brought back memories of a dorm room or that first apartment kinda furniture. I was surprised by how futons have grown up. I love the new modern lines and the sleek black leather. These futons sure don't feel like the frumpy one I owned years ago.

There are so many options with CSN. So grab your beverage of choice and peruse the 200 different online shops. The beautiful modern lamps at the top are valued at $297. How cool is that? Leave a comment and we will draw a name on Friday, July 31, 2009. Good luck!

Posted in Desiree, Lighting, Looki What I Found, Modern, Shopping | 13 Comments »

Petaluma Antique Faire: Looki What I Got!

Thursday, April 30th, 2009

The Petaluma Antique Faire seems like such along time ago. I had such a great time. We started the day off with a pancake breakfast hosted by the Mason’s. All proceeds will go towards putting on future antique shows. Pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice and coffee! And in a beautiful building. What a way to start the day. There was so much to see. We walked up and down the main strip searching for treasures.

Now, I had a list of what I was looking for — a list of three things, green milk glass, hand railings used to go up stairways and iron chaise loungers. There were a few milk glass pieces but nothing that I had to have. The lounges and the railings were a total bust, but I did find the sweetest birdhouse. I have it on my front porch. I love it there. Now, if my 3 cats wouldn’t “hang-out” on the chairs, I might get to see a bird!

I’ll have an update on my curb appeal enhancement coming in the next few days. So there will be more photos of the porch and the rest of my front yard.

Posted in Desiree, Desiree's Mud Room, Shopping, The Mud Room | No Comments »

Guadalupe Gardens: A Rose for Mom

Monday, April 27th, 2009

It’s that time of year…NO not taxes! (that was earlier this month and if you forgot that, you’ve got bigger relative problems than I can help with). Mother’s Day. What to do, what to do? She only spent 29 and a half hours in labor with you. How do you thank her? Tell her, show her that you appreciate all she’s done, and let’s not forget those teenage years.

The San Jose Heritage Rose Garden has the perfect solution, adopt a rose. Not only will your Mom get a rose in her honor (including a plaque), she will get a wonderful gift package. This ensemble includes potpourri made from Heritage Rose Garden rose petals, a chocolate truffle from Schurra’s Fine Confections, and a handmade bar of bee’s wax soap from the Sacred Bee, all in a decorative gift box. If you order your rose before May 1st, a plaque will be up in front of your rose choice, with her name and a message from you on Mother’s Day. You can surprise her with a picnic and a visit to the Heritage Gardens to view the special rose you picked out just for her. But, if you miss the May 1st deadline, don’t fret, you can still get a rose for Mom and make arrangements to visit the park at a later date.

Try these sweet smelling stories:
Gardening on a Budget
McBrides Nursery in Tahoe City
Plalaenopsis, Cattleya, Onicidium-Oh My

Posted in Desiree, Looki What I Found, Rose Garden, San Jose, Shopping | No Comments »

Petaluma Antique Faire is HERE!

Friday, April 24th, 2009

Antique and collectible seekers up and down the peninsula are waiting with baited breath for the Petaluma Antique Fair. Come out to browse and shop the 23rd Annual Petaluma Spring Antique Faire on Sunday April 26th 2009, 8 am to 4 pm. Historic Downtown Petaluma will transform itself into an antique marketplace. Wandering through the over 180 dealers you will find everything from estate jewelry, linens, art and every collectible under the sun. I plan on attending and I’m bringing the big car. I’d hate to drive all the way up there and not be able to bring my treasure (s) home. I hoping to find some old camera’s, milk glass(green) and old hand railings from staircases. The weather should be a perfectly mild day and I think a salad and a glass of wine at little outdoor bistro sounds great. I’ll not only let you know what I come home with but what my Mom manages to find as well. These escapades are starting to get addictive!

Posted in Antiques, Desiree, Garden, Home and Garden, Looki What I Found, Shopping | 2 Comments »

Plantscapes – A Green Design Vision from Vietnam to San Jose

Wednesday, April 15th, 2009

Talk about vision. When Thai Pham, a 29-year-old landscape designer, set eyes on the space that would become the showroom for his living, growing plantscapes, the place couldn’t be darker. It had been a photographer’s studio, for crying out loud — as in dark room.

But this Vietnam native and UC Berkeley graduate who designed the landscape for the Buddhist Temple on McLaughlin Avenue only saw possibilities. And with his family helping, he put in skylights and removed walls and earlier this month opened Green Design on The Alameda in San Jose. Walk in and you are greeted by the trunk of a great Oak tree dripping with living plants. Listen to the fountains and three macaws. Tropical plants are everywhere.

Pham’s business is a showcase for his landscape design business, giving his clients an idea of what he is capable of. But he also has a huge collection of sandblasted pottery for sale from his hometown in Central Vietnam, as well as Buddhas and other icons. Photos of Douglas Campbell and prints from Paul Sakamoto are also for sale. A floral designer is also on staff to create beautiful bouquets and centerpieces.

“Check back often,” Pham said, “You’ll see a lot of surprises.”

Green Design is located on The Alameda in San Jose at Martin Avenue.

Green Design Indoor Outdoor Plantscape
1341 The Alameda
San Jose, CA 95126
(408) 971-4089

Posted in Decorating, Garden, Home and Garden, Landscape, Looki What I Found, San Jose, Shopping, Store | No Comments »

Hooked On Farmer’s Markets

Thursday, April 2nd, 2009

This week I am hooked on farmer’s markets. I love when spring is warming the ground and the produce is abundant. Last week I purchased beets. I love beets but have never tried roasting them myself. I had two varieties red and golden.

They turned out perfect and they were so easy. I also forget about rainbow chard. It is just gorgeous and delicious too.

I have two favorite markets. The downtown Campbell market is open on Sundays from 9am to 1pm. If you go be sure to stop in at the Olive Bar for the best olive oil around. You can taste different kinds of oils and vinegars. I purchased the Tuscan-Herb flavored oil and a Tangerine Balsamic vinegar. My second choice is the market at Santana Row. It’s close enough I can ride my bike and the ambiance can’t be beat.

So this weekend, grab a cup of coffee and head out to your local farmer’s market. And then head over to Julia at Hooked on Houses to see what everyone else is hooked on.

Posted in Desiree, Desiree's Mud Room, Shopping, The Mud Room | 4 Comments »

Michael Arras Modern Designs

Monday, March 30th, 2009

It may be that the weather in Northern California is gorgeous and I am itching to enjoy the warmth of spring – but I am on the hunt for a great lounge chair, one where I can have a glass of lemonade and watch my vegetable garden grow. (Doesn’t that sound ideal?) Then I stumbled onto the designs of Michael Arras on Etsy. (This Lookiloo is in serious “want” mode.)

I love the clean lines of this lounge chair. Hand made by Michael Arras, this comfy chair is made of cotton webbing and birch. They are built to order for $400.00.

I am also in love with his “small circles table”. Inspired by stones he saw on a walk with his dog, he sought to create a piece that “captured the randomness, delicacy, and beauty of those stones.” These hand made beauties are made of birch and stained a deep cinnamon red. Sure to be a conversation piece, they are custom built, so he can make them to fit your space ($450.00). It seems perfect to hold my glass of lemonade!

Zonal Home Interiors – Hayes Valley American Country Style Furnishings

Posted in Furniture, Home and Garden, Looki What I Found, Sheila, Shopping, Store | No Comments »

Sonoma’s Opia: An Asian Inspired Home and Garden Shop

Sunday, March 15th, 2009

Don’t you love finding something for someone when you weren’t even looking? That’s what happened on my recent trip to Sonoma. Once again I called my trusty sidekick. “Mom, I’m going to Sonoma to a building salvage yard — Do you want to tag along?”

She replied, “Sure, it’s supposed to be a beautiful day.”

So we headed North. I didn’t want to have to pass on an opportunity because my purchase wouldn’t fit in the more economical car, so I drove the big car. My destination was a building salvage spot. I was looking for old handrails used in stairways. That’s all I wanted and I didn’t find a single one.

So slightly dejected, I left the shop and wandered into another. Opia, a beautiful Asian inspired home and garden shop. Unique items lined the walls.

“Look at that fountain,” I said as I turned to my Mom. We both said in unison “That would be perfect in Susan’s home.” The fountain stands about 3 and a half feet tall and has wonderful variegated green color. The water just bubbles out and the sound is so relaxing. I took some photos to share with my Mom’s sister, Susan. My Mom got the store info. And even though I didn’t find what I was looking for, I loved the thought of that wonderful fountain in my Aunt’s home.

Opia Home and Garden Gallery
23590 Arnold Dr. (Hwy 121)
Sonoma, CA 95476
707.939.3888